PRO FOOTBALL; Salary-Cap Constraints Cause Titans to Release George

The team granted his request and released him Wednesday in a move forced by salary-cap pressures and perhaps the declining skills of George, the franchise's career rushing leader.

''The best thing for Eddie George would be for him to finish his career here,'' General Manager Floyd Reese said at a news conference. ''For a number of reasons we were unable to get that done.''

George, an eight-year veteran who will turn 31 in September, rejected the Titans' latest offer and asked for his release on Monday so he would have time to find another team before training camps open next week.

The Titans wanted George back but at a reduced salary. The team's final offer was $1.5 million in base salary, considerably less than the $4.25 million he expected to make this season.

The Titans' offense has also changed and now emphasizes the passing of Steve McNair, the co-most valuable player in the National Football League in 2003.

Reese said there was a disagreement over a $1 million roster bonus the Titans paid George in March. The team considered it part of his salary for this season, but George said it was part of the previous deal.

George's agent, Lamont Smith, told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that the Titans did not consider the deals given to Deuce Staley by Pittsburgh or Charlie Garner by Tampa Bay. Staley, 29, signed a 5-year, $14 million contract with the Steelers that included a $4 million signing bonus. Garner, 32, signed a 6-year, $20 million deal with the Buccaneers that also included a $4 million signing bonus

With 2005 and 2006 unresolved in the Titans' offer, George also doubted he would be able to achieve some of the incentives.

''They can try to spin it however they want to,'' Smith said. ''The bottom line is they let a player go that gave his heart and soul to that team for the last eight years, and they didn't make a real effort to retain him.''

An error has occurred. Please try again later.

You are already subscribed to this email.

The Titans are looking at the free-agent running back Antowain Smith, who reportedly visited them on Tuesday. Smith, who has averaged 3.9 yards a carry in his seven seasons in Buffalo and New England, has won two Super Bowls with the Patriots.

''How do we replace him?'' Reese said. ''Well, we're going to have to replace him with more than one guy. It's going to be impossible to find one guy to do all the things Eddie did.''

Questions about George's future with Tennessee began last season because the Titans, in salary-cap trouble, could not afford to keep him. Tennessee tried to clear salary-cap space in February by reworking George's deal, which runs through 2006, but he declined.

Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said he expected the Titans' remaining backs, the veteran Robert Holcombe and the second-year player Chris Brown, to play a greater role in the offense.

''I think George gave this organization his heart and his soul, and I'll be forever grateful for that,'' Fisher said.

George has said he wants to play for a Super Bowl contender. He has mentioned Tampa Bay, Dallas and Philadelphia, his hometown. He is only the second N.F.L. running back to rush for 10,000 yards while never missing a start. Jim Brown is the other. Only Walter Payton (170) has started more consecutive regular-season games than George's 128.

Last December, George became the 17th running back to surpass 10,000 yards. He has 64 touchdowns for the franchise that drafted him out of Ohio State, where he won the 1995 Heisman Trophy.

''I could draft running backs for the next 30 years and I may never draft another Eddie George,'' Reese said.